Rivian is now shipping its Gen 2 R1T and R1S EVs with tri-motor powertrains
There’s three motors inside this one. | Image: RivianRivian is now shipping its electric trucks and SUVs with a tri-motor configuration, adding an extra power boost over the dual-motor version. The new 850 horsepower powertrain uses Rivian’s new in-house...
JaneWalter
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Rivian is now shipping its electric trucks and SUVs with a tri-motor configuration, adding an extra power boost over the dual-motor version. The new 850 horsepower powertrain uses Rivian’s new in-house Enduro motors, with one in the front axle and two in the rear axle.
The new tri-motor setup underpins Rivian’s newly redesigned Gen 2 models, which launched earlier this year in just a dual-motor configuration.
As reported by Inside EVs, these 2025 Rivian models are the first from the company to get a tri-motor setup, as the previous generation only came in dual and quad-motor setups. Rivian will start shipping its Gen 2 quad-motor version early next year.
Image: Rivian
Image: Rivian
Between the front and rear motors sits Rivian’s new Max battery pack that’s capable of taking the vehicle up to 405 miles on a single charge in conserve mode or 371 miles for all-purpose driving. The R1T Ascend Tri-Max starts at $99,900.
Tesla’s Cybertruck, the top-selling all-electric truck right now, also has dual and tri-motor options. However, the latter “Cyberbeast” model has a higher starting price of $113,990 compared to the Rivian. The EV market has a year-over-year uptick in sales, but electric trucks are still just a drop in the bucket against EV cars and SUVs.
Rivian is adding more configurations in its quest to court more customers and sell more EVs. It needs cash flow to stay afloat in its lead-up to producing its lower-cost R2 SUV in 2026 and the stellar-looking R3 and R3X to follow. Rivian is getting some help from Volkswagen’s investment on that front.
